A BRIDGE OF SIGHS
Residents demand action as 19,000 drivers are clocked breaking speed limit
ALMOST 19,000 drivers were clocked speeding through a newly reopened rat run in just one week.
New figures have revealed the shocking extent of dangerous driving near Salters Bridge in Gosforth, with some motorists caught going at more than 60mph in a 20mph zone.
The bridge opened for the first time in more than two years last month to help relieve congestion during the nearby Killingworth Road roadworks, and residents around Hollywood Avenue say they are “living in dread” of a serious accident being caused by reckless drivers.
Between October 18 and 24, council monitors recorded 9,913 vehicles speeding eastbound on Hollywood Avenue and 8,836 westbound, with the majority of offenders believed to be commuters.
Around 70% of all vehicles using the route are breaking the speed limit, at an average speed of 28mph – although three drivers were recorded going more than three times faster than the limit. None of the drivers caught speeding have been hit with fines, but council bosses say they will now urge police to start cracking down on the problem.
Transport bosses have also issued warnings to lorry drivers crossing the medieval bridge, which has a three-tonne weight limit.
Newcastle City Council says it is not safe for vehicles bigger than a Transit van to cross the Grade I-listed bridge, but more than 500 large vehicles a week have been caught using it – with some weighing up to 40 tonnes.
A spokesperson from the council said: “This is a serious road safety issue and we have alerted Northumbria Police which may take enforcement action.
“Hollywood Avenue is a residential area with a school which is why the 20mph speed limit is in place to keep children and vulnerable road users such as people on bikes safe.
“Speed is a critical factor in road traffic collisions and the stark reality is, someone hit by a car travelling at 30mph has a one-in-five chance of being killed.
“Worryingly, we also have heavy goods vehicles which are also flouting restrictions to cross a narrow Grade I-listed structure, which is clearly unsuitable for such large vehicles.
“These are people who would rather take HGVs over weak bridges and through residential streets than follow safe and legal routes to their destination.” Neighbours’ fears about the re-opening of Salters Bridge were realised soon after traffic returned on October 13. Audrey MacNaughton, of the Garden Village Action Group, says the situation is still getting worse as more and more vehicles start using the road again. She said: “We are absolutely living in dread of an accident happening, it is not going to be that long now.”
She added that solving the speeding issues would be a “sticking plaster”. Campaigners want to see the bridge closed permanently and council bosses say the figures on speeding will be used to help decide its future next year.
These are people who would rather take HGVs over weak bridges than follow safe and legal routes
Council spokesperson